Former Utah QB Mike McCoy agrees to become Chargers head coach

By Bernie Wilson

Published: Tuesday, Jan. 15 2013 10:15 a.m. MST

Former University of Utah football player and Carolina Panther coach Mike McCoy talks with coach Kyle Whittingham at the New Orleans Saints football game 12/28/08 in New Orleans . Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News/photo (Jeffrey D Allred, Jeffrey D. Allred)

SAN DIEGO — Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has agreed in principle to become head coach of the division rival San Diego Chargers, two people with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

The people spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because McCoy's hiring hasn't been announced.

The 40-year-old McCoy replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith after the Chargers finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

McCoy's hiring comes three days after the top-seeded Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs in a home loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The coaching search was led by Tom Telesco, who was hired as Chargers GM last week. Telesco also is 40.

The Broncos have won consecutive AFC West titles. McCoy tutored quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow in 2011, and Peyton Manning in 2012.

FILE - This is a 2012 file photo showing Mike McCoy of the Denver Broncos NFL football team. A person with knowledge of the situation says McCoy is working on a contract to become head coach of the division rival San Diego Chargers. The person spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, on condition of anonymity because a deal hasn't been completed. (File, Associated Press)

Denver swept the Chargers in 2012, including an epic 35-24 victory at San Diego on Oct. 15 when Manning calmly led them back from a 24-0 halftime deficit.

With the Chargers, McCoy will work with Philip Rivers, who struggled this season, in large part because of a shaky offensive line. Rivers was sacked 49 times and committed 22 turnovers, giving him 47 turnovers in two seasons.

McCoy played quarterback at Long Beach State and Utah before moving on to the NFL Europe and the CFL. He began his pro coaching career with Carolina in 1999 before moving to the Broncos in 2009.

AP Sports Writers Bernie Wilson, John Wawrow in Buffalo and Arnie Stapleton in Denver contributed to this report.